Clothes drying machine



Nov. 3, 1953 c. E. ERICKSON 2,657,475

CLOTHES DRYING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l F I G 4 39 38 g 82 78 g r9 flre 77 32 75 84' 80'' lb 2 ,9! s7 12 g 83 2 85 92 Ia r j 3 as 90 89 3 as QJL L 6/22 20 INVENTOR.

Clifford E. Erickson Attys.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 50, 1951 U INVENTOR.

Clifford E. Erickson M,0&WM

Patented Nov. 3, 1953 CLOTHES DRYING MACHINE Clifford E. Erickson, Chicago, 111., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application March 30, 1951, Serial N 0. 218,427

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to clothes drying machines of the portable home laundry type and more particularly to improved clothes drying machines of the general character disclosed in the copending application of Kemper M. Hammell and Clifford E. Erickson, Serial No. 75,606, filed February 10, 1949.

The clothes drying machine disclosed in the Hammell and Erickson application mentioned is of the portable home laundry type and comprises a cabinet housing a casing, that, in turn, encloses a clothes receiving drum; the cabinet is provided with an upstanding front wall having an access opening formed therein; the casing is provided with an upstanding front wall having an access opening formed therein; and the drum is provided with an upstanding front wall having an access openin formed therein. The front access openings are arranged in substantial alignment and the cabinet front wall carries a front door mounted for movements between open and closed positions with respect to the front access openings. The drum is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis disposed in a substantially horizontal position and substantially normal to the cabinet front wall. The drum is also provided with a substantially cylindrical perforated side wall; and the casing is also provided with a substantialiy tubular side Wall that cooperates with the drum side wall to define first and second chambers therebetween respectively disposed adjacent to the top of the drum and adjacent to the bottom of the drum. An electric motor is provided for rotating the drum in order to tumble the contained clothes and for producing circulation of a current of air from the first chamber through the drum into contact with the contained clothes and thence into the second chamber and back into the first chamber. An electric heating element is arranged in the first chamber in order to heat the current of air passing therethroueh; and a spray nozzle is arranged in the second chamber in order to cool and to scrub with a finely divided spray of cool water the current of air passing therethrough. Asump is formed in the bottom of the casing below thesecond chamher in order to accumulate the water, .aswell as condensate and lint scrubbed from the current of .air as it is passed through the second chamber. A drain opening is -formed in the bottom of the sump; and a pump is provided that communicates between the drain opening and the exterior, the pump being operated by the motor for the purpose of discharging to the exterior the water and the condensate and the lint accumulating in the sump. Further an inlet conduit is provided that is supplied with cool water under gauge pressure from the city water main; and a plumbing connection is arranged between the inlet conduit and the spray nozzle, the plumbing connection including a solenoid controlled valve that is selectively operative between closed and open positions in order Selectively to govern the supply of the cool Water from the inlet conduit to the spray nozzle.

Finally in this machine, a first sealing arrangement is provided between the cabinet front Wall and the casing front Wall in surrounding relation with respect to the front access openings respectively formed therein in view of the fact that it is necessary to seal the space between the cabinet front wall and the casing front wall against the entry thereinto of hot air from the drum; and a second sealing arrangement is provided between the cabinet front wall and the front door in surrounding relation with respect to the front access opening formed in the cabinet front wall in view of the fact that it is necessary to seal the front openings against the passage of hot air from the drum to the exterior.

While the sealing arrangements noted above that are provided in this machine are quite satisfactory, they are considerably more expensive to manufacture than are desirable in th interest of economy. 7

A cordingly it is a gen ral obj ct of th present invention to provide in a clothes dryin machine f the character escribed, imp oved and sim pliri d sealing arrangements esp t e y between he cabinet front wall and he casing front wall n b twee the ca inet front wall and the associated front door.

It s another ob e t of the invention to pr vide in a clothes drying machin f the haracter desc i ed, an improved entry throat and cask t member that is operatively associated with the front openings thereof, which member not only provides the two seals previou l noted but also terminates in a reerwardly directed and outwardly flared lip projecting into the front opening formed in the drum front wall to provide a smooth throat from the exterior into the interior of the drum through the front openings noted.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the throa and ca ket member and of the cloth s drying machine, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The inventio oth as to ts r anization and method of operation, together with further ob jects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken. in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front perspective view of a clothes drying machine of the portable home laundry type incorporating an entry throat and gasket arrangement embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly broken away, of the machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the offset line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view, partly broken away, of the machine; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the front portion of the machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-% in Fig. l, and illustrating the construction of the entry throat and gasket member.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, the clothes drying machine IE1 there illustrated is of the portable home laundry type and is of the general character of that disclosed in the previously-mentioned Hammell and Erickson application, and incorporated an entry throat and gasket arrangement embodying the features of the present invention. Specifically the machine ill is of the improved construction and arrangement of that disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Clifford E. Erickson and Glenn D. Graham, Serial No. 209,657, filed February 6, 1951, and comprises a substantially rectangular base H carrying an upstanding detachable cabinet l2; the cabinet l2 includes front wall 13, and a pair of opposed side walls M and i5 defining both a rear opening and a top opening. The rear opening provided in the cabinet i2 is closed by a removable rear wall it; and the top opening provided in the cabinet I2 is closed by a removable top wall ll. The front wall 13 is provided with a rearwardly directed rim or boundary flange it having side portions disposed substantially flush with the side walls M and i5, and a bottom portion disposed forwardly of the front of the base II and cooperating therewith to define an upstanding toe-receiving recess is arranged at the lower front of the cabinet 92. Also the central portion of the front wall l3 has a substantially rectangular depression Ell formed therein that is surrounded by a rear wardly directed boundary throat 2!. Preferably the front wall I3 is formed of one-piece diepressed construction and carries a substantially rectangular fabricated front door 22 suitably hinged thereto and arranged within the boundary throat 2i and movable between open and closed positions with respect to the depression as, the front door 22 carrying a suitable handle and latch mechanism 23.

The top wall I! includes a substantially horizontally disposed work surface it provided with a downwardly turned rim or boundary flange 25 that includes front and side portions disposed substantially flush with the upper portions of the respective front wall 13 and side walls 14 and it. Also the rear portion of the top wall I! terminates in a laterally extending and upwardly directed backsplash 25 that projects rearwardly of the rear wall IE to define an upstanding space ill disposed both below the backsplash 2t and behind the rear wall 55 and employed for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. The side portions of the rim 25 of the top wall I! merge into the ends of the backsplash 26 to form a smooth continuous construction. Preferably the hollow top wall i1 is formed of one-piece diepressed construction. A timer switch. not shown.

is housed within the hollow backsplash 26 ad jacent to the right-hand end thereof and provided with an operating shaft extending through an opening formed therein and carrying a manual control dial 28 that is readily accessible from the exterior; and a thermostatic switch 29 is housed within the hollow backsplash 26 adjacent to the left-hand end thereof and provided with an operating shaft extending through an opening formed therein and carrying a manual control dial 322 that is readily accessible from the exterior. Finally the central portion of the backsplashfii carries a combination ornamental trim and lamp hood 3i that is adapted to be illuminated by an electric lamp, not shown. housed in the backsplash 2% for the purpose of indicating operation of the machine l0, and of providing some illumination of the work surface 24 of the top wall ll.

An upstanding substantially tubular casing 32 is housed in the front portion of the cabinet l2 and provided with front and rear walls and 34 and a tubular side wall 35, the casing 32 being supported upon the base H by an arrangement including two upstanding and laterally spacedapart pillars 3t and iii. A substantially cylindrical drum 38 is enclosed by the casing 32 and provided with front and rear walls 39 and 49 and a perforated side wall 4 l. The drum 38 is mounted for rotation in the casing 32 about its longitudinal axis disposed in a substantially horizontal position substantially normal to the casing front wall 33 by an arrangement including a spider 52 secured to the rear surface of the drum rear Wall 46 and carrying a rearwardly projecting drive shaft 13. The drive shaft 43 is disposed along the longitudinal center line of the drum 33 and projects through an opening pro-- vided in the casing rear wall 34 into an upstanding space 4 defined between the casing rear wall 35 and the cabinet rear wall It. The drive shaft 43 is supported for rotation in bearing structure carried by a bolster #35, that is, in turn, carried by the casing rear wall as and arranged in the up standing space M. I

The upper portion of the tubular side wall of the casing 32 cooperates with the associated cylindrical side Wall of the drum 38 to define a longitudinally extending first or'heating chamber therebetween disposed adjacent to the top of the drum 38, in which there are arranged a pair of elongated electric heating elements ll, preferably of the sheathed resistance conductor type, the heating elements (ll being directly supported by the rear wall (i l of the casing 32. Arranged between the heating elements 3"! and the adjacent portion of the tubular side wall 35 of the casing 32 is a longitudinally extending and substantially arcuate-shaped reflector 48 that is provided for the purpose of reflecting radiant heat toward the perforated cylindrical side wall 4! of the drum 38. The lower portion of the tubular side wall 35 of the casing 32 cooperates with the associated cylindrical side wall M of the drum 33 to define a longitudinally extending second or condensing chamber 49 .Vtherebetween disposed adjacent to the bottom of the drum 33.

Also the lower portion of the tubular side Wall 35 of the casing 32 comprises a downwardly ex tending or dished wall defining a sump 50 in the bottom thereof, the sump" 5%; being disposed below the condensing chamber as and constitutes the bottom thereof. The top of the condensing chamber as is defined by a longitudinally extending and generally arcuate-shaped bafile 5i that is arranged just below the bottom at the cylindrical side. wall. 4!) ot the drum 3%, As best shownv in. Fig. It and as viewed from the rear of: the cabinet 12,. the lower right-hand side of the tubular side wall 3.5,. of. the. casing 32 extends downwardly and away trom the adjacent p rtion of the cylindrical sidewall 45l oi the. drum 38 in order to provide a. scroll-shaped section, that GO," operates with the adjacent. portion of the; cylindrical side wall 41 of the. drum 3a to define. a compression chamber 52 therebetween that opens into the adjacent; end of the condensing chamber as below the baflle 5t; and the lower left-hand side of the. tubular side. wall 35 of the casing 32 extends upwardly toward the, adjacent portion of the cylindrical. side wall 41!. of the drum 38' in. order to: provide therebetween an arcuatea shaped passage 5-3 communicating between the adjacent open end of the condensingchamber 49 and the adjacent open end of the heating cham ber 4'6; The drum 3'8 is. rotated the clockwise direction, as viewed from the rear of the machine til in Fig. 3, whereby the clothes contained therein are tumbled and a circulation of a current of air is produced from the heating chamber 46? into the drum 38 through the perforated cylindrical side wall 4'! thereof and into contact with the contained clothes. The air currentv is then circulated from the drum 38 through the perforated cylindrical side-wall 4'! thereof into the compression chamber 52, wherein the air is compressed and forced into the adjacent end of the condensing chamber 4'9. The air passes through the condensing chamber 49 between the sump 5t and the baffle 5! and thence out of the other end thereof and through the passage 53 and again into the heating chamber to. This forced circulation of the current of air is produced solely by the rotation of the drum 38 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, at a speed of approximately to R. P. M., together with the tumbling of the clothes contained in the drum 38, all without the usual external blower or fan.

Also the machine HI comprises an electric drive motor 5% pivotally mounted upon the pillar 31, and a drive arrangement including a floating stub shaft 55, a series of pulleys 56, 51, 58 and 59 and two flexible belts 6'0 and 6! so as-to provide a speed reduction arrangement between the shaft of the motor 54 and the drive shaft &3, the pulleys 55, etc., and the belt 66,, 8110., being arranged in the space 44. Further the machine ill comprises a cooling water supply system including an inlet conduit 62 that is adapted to be supplied with cool water under gauge pressure, the rear end of the inlet conduit 62 being provided with a threaded nipple 62 that is adapted detachably to receive a flexible rubber cool water supply hose, not shown, arranged in the upstanding space 2'! and extending through an opening, not shown, formed in the cabinet rear wall it. The front end of the inlet conduit 62 communicates with a fixture 63, that, in turn, communicates with a valve 64 of the solenoid control type and provided with a solenoid 65. The valve 64 is normally biased into its closed position and is operated into its open position in response to energization of the solenoid E5. The upper portion of the valve 64 communicates with a vacuum breaker 66, that, turn, communicates with a flow control regulator 61. Preferably the flow control regulator 61 is of the flexis ble diaphragm compression aperture or throattype that is designed to maintain a substantially 6; constant flow of: cool. water therethr ue when the valve. 64. occupies its op n position notwith standing considerable. variatio of: the au pressure of; the cool water supplied to the inlet conduit 62 For example, the, flow control regulator t1 may be desi ned to maint in a sub t ntially constant flow of. app oximate 0- a l per minute of cool water therethrough. Finally the flow control regulator 61 communicates with a. tube 68: that. terminates in two spray nozzles E9 arranged in the lower portion of the condens-v ing chamber 49.

More particularly the. longitudinal extending generally alienate-shaped baiile 5| is arranged immediately below the bottom of the cylindrical side wall 415 of the drum 3.8; and a longitudinallyextending arcuate-shapedbaflle 10 is arranged in spaced relation below the. baiile 5| and above the bottom wall of the sump 50- and joining the right.- hand portion of the. tubular wall 35 of the casing- 32, as. viewed in Fig. 31.. Thus the condensing chamber 43 has a generally arcuate. shape and is disposed between the baflles 51 and 10. The spray nozzles 69 are arranged substantially centrally of the lower portion of the casing 32 adjacent to the end of the baiile NJ. More specifically the spray nozzles 69 are disposed in circumferentially spaced-apart relation and are directed upwardlyat an angle toward the baffle 51 whereby the spray nozzles 69 project a finely divided spray of cool water upwardly at an angle between the bafiles 5| and Hi when the valve 64 occupies its open position. Since the spray nozzles 69 are directed upwardly at an angle with respect to the battle 5|, a component of the direction of the spray of cool water is in counterfiow relation with respect'tc the direction of circulation of the current of air through the condensing chamber at, so as to. effect a thorough scrubbing of the current of air as it is passed therethrough.

The bottom of the sump 50 has a drain opening formed in the lower portion thereof that receives the adjacent end of a drain conduit H formed of rubber, or the like, the rear end of the drain conduit H communicating with a pump 72 mountedon the base II and driven from, the motor 54 by an arrangement including a belt 73 and associated pulleys. The casing of the pump [2 is provided with a discharge port 14, that, in tur o mu ca es w h a flexib r r drain hose, not shown, that also projects through the opening, not shown, provided in the cabinet rear wall 16 into th upstandi sp e 2 In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the upwardly directed spray of finely divlcled cool water from the spray nozzles -59 ef fects the condensation of moisture from the current of air circulated through the condensing chamber 49, as well as the scrubbing of lint therefrom, whereby the water, the condensate and the lint accumulating in the sump 50 is removed tothe exteri he ca no 3 by o ion of the r in pump 2 Further the machine I 0 comprises an electric c ntrol ci cuit ne w rk a disclo in the pr viously-mentioned Erickson and Graham application, whereby it may be operated automatically through a timed cycle. Also as indicated in Fig. 3, the cylindrical side wall 4| of the drum 38 comprises three substantially equally oircumfera n iallyspao wap tl nai ud a yex end n d inwardly projectin vanes 14 that eifect tumbling of the clothes contained in the drum 38 and assist inthe production of the circulation'of the our:

7 rent of air through the drum 38 and within the casing 32, in the manner explained above.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and e of the drawings, the boundary throat 2! surrounding the rectangular depression 20 formed in the cabinet front wall 13 is provided with rearwardly and inwardly extending portions Zla and 2 if), respectively, the inwardly extending portion 2lb terminating in an annular access opening 75 arranged rearwardly of the front door 22 and inwardly with respect to the portion Zla. Also the front wall 33 of the casing 32 has a substantially annular access opening 16 formed therein that is surrounded by an associated annular stiffening ridge ll; and the front wall 39 of the drum 33 is provided with a centrally disposed and forwardly flared annular flange 18 terminating in an annular access opening 13. The annular access openings '55, Hi, and 19 are arranged in longitudinal alignment with each other along the longitudinal center line of the drum 38 and cooperate with an annular entry throat and gasket member 883; preferably the member Bil is of one-piece extruded construction, although it may be molded, and is formed of flexible and deformable rubber, or the like. More particularly the member all includes an annular sleevelike body 8! bridging the space between the portion 2) of the boundary throat 2i and the casing front wall 33' and terminating in a rearwardly directed and outwardly flared lip 82 bridging the space between the casing front wall 33 and the drum front wall 39 and projecting into the drum 38 through and out of contact with the front access opening l9 so as to provide a smooth access throat from the exterior through the front access openings 55, it, and 19 into the interior of the drum 33 when the front door 22 occupies its open position. The body 8! of the member 86 also has a surrounding substantially annular slot 33 formed therein that receives and embraces the sides of the portion 21b of the boundary throat 25 so as to retain the member Bil in place. The intermediate portion of the body BI carries a first substantially annular hollow deformable gasket section 84 arranged between the portion 2H) of the boundary throat 2] and the stiffening ridge Ti provided on the casing front wall The first gasket section 84 is arranged between the parts noted and in surrounding relation with respect to the front access openings 55 and 56 so as to seal together the cabinet front wall it and the casing front wall 33. The front portion. of the body 8! carries a second substantially annular hollow deformable gasket section 85 arranged between. the portion 2 lb of the boundary throat BI and the inner surface of the front door 22, the second gasket section 85 being disposed in the depression 28 adjacent. to and in surrounding relation with the front access opening '55 formed in the cabinet front wall I 3. When the front door occupies its closed position, the second gasket section 85 is compressed between the inner surface of the front door 22 and the portion 2|?) of the boundary throat 2i so as to seal the front access opening against the escape of hot air from the interior of the drum 38 into the depression 2c formed in the cabinet front wall 13.

In making the member 89, an appropriate length of the preformed extruded or molded stock is cut therefrom, and the adjacent ends thereof are vulcanized or cemented together to provide the annular ring-like form. Thereafter the member 89 is appropriately deformed and applied 8 to the portion 2 lb of the boundary throat 2i and to the casing front wall 33 in its position illustrated in Fig. 4. Due to the resiliency of the member 80, it will be appreciated that it may be conveniently removed and replaced by a repairman in the event this is necessary.

Also as illustrated in Fig. 4, the front door 22 is of hollow fabricated construction, the interior thereof including a supporting element that is employed for the purpose of pivotally mounting the front door 22 upon the adjacent portion am of the boundary throat 2!, the arrangement employing upper and lower concealed hinges, the lower concealed hinge being illustrated at 81. Specifically the lower hinge 8? comprises first and second leaves '88 and B3 pivoted together by an associated pintle 90, the hinge 8! being arranged primarily within the hollow front wall I3 exteriorly of the boundary throat 2!. More particularly the leaf 38 is suitably secured to the exterior surface of the portion 2 la of the boundary throat 2!; while the leaf 83 is curved and extends through an elongated slot formed in the boundary throat 23 adjacent to the junction between the portions Zia and Zlb thereof, the outer end of the leaf 85 extending through an opening into the interior of the front door 22 and being secured to the supporting element '85 by an arrangement including a threaded member 92 and a cooperating nut 93.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the front door 22 is readily pivotally mounted between its open and closed positions upon the hinges 8?, etc., described above, whereby the interior of the drum 38 is readily accessible from the exterior through the member 89 when the front door 22 occupies its open position. On the other hand, when the front door 22 occupies its closed position, the second gasket section 85 of the member 85 provides a seal about the front access opening 15 preventing the escape of hot air from the interior of the drum 38 into the depression 20 formed in the cabinet front wall [3. Further when the front door 22 occupies its closed position, the front or outer face thereof is disposed substantially flush with the cabinet front wall IS in order to provide a smooth and finished appearance to the cabinet 82. The member 80 not only provides a smooth throat from the exterior into' the interior of the drum 3% preventing the clothes from being caught upon the edge of the fiared annular flange "58 incident to the introduction of the clothes into the drum 38, but the lip 82 also provides a barrier preventing any possibility of the clothes working between the drum front wall 39 and the casing front wall 33 during rotation of the drum 38. The second gasket section as not only seals the front access opening 15 provided in the boundary throat 2!, but it cooperates with the first gasket section 84 in order to seal the space between the casing front wall 33 and the cabinet front wall I3, as it is highly undesirable for the moisture or vapor in the sump 59 formed in the bottom of the casing 32 from rising and entering between the casing front wall 33 and the cabinet front wall 53 since the presence of such vapor in the space noted would lead to condensation therein due to the fact that the cabinet front wall [3 is at a lower temperature than the easing front wall 33.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided in aclothes drying machine of the portable home laundry type including a closed air circulating system involving a heating chamber and a spaced-apart spray condensing chamber, an improved throat and sealing arrangement for the front access openings respectively provided in the cabinet front wall, the casing front wall, and the drum front wall.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodii'nent of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims .all such modifications as fall within the true in, a substantially horizontally disposed clothesreceiving drum enclosed in said casing and having a substantially cylindrical perforated wall and an upstanding front wall provided with a front access opening formed therein, said casing front wall being arranged adjacent to and in spaced relation with both said cabinet front wall and said drum front wall, said front access openings being substantially annular and arranged substantially in alignment with each other, said cabinet front wall having a rearwardly directed depression formed therein and surrounding said front access opening formed therein, a front door carried by said cabinet front wall and mounted in said depression for movements between closed and open positions with respect to said front access openings, said front door being provided with inner and outer walls arranged in spacedapart relation; said inner Wall being spaced forwardly of the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed within said depression and said outer wall being disposed substantially flush with the portion of said cabinet front wall surrounding said depression when said front door occupies its closed position, said drum front wall having a forwardly flared annular rim surrounding said front access opening formed therein and spaced rearwardly from said casing front wall, and means for rotating said drum about its longitudinal axis; the combination comprising a unitary throat member including an annular sleevelike body bridging the space between the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed in said depression and said casing front wall and termi- 10 nating in a rearwardly directed and outwardly flared lip bridging the space between said casing front wall and said drum front wall and projecting into said drum through said front access opening formed therein in order to provide a smooth access throat from the exterior through said front access openings into the interior of said drum, said sleeve-like body having a surrounding annular slot formed therein and embracing the sides of the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed in said depression in order frictionally to secure said member in place, the intermediate portion of said sleeve-like body carrying a first hollow deformable gasket arranged in compression between the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed in said depression and said casing front wall adjacent to and in surrounding relation with said front access openings respectively formed therein and sealing the space therebetween, the front portion of said sleeve-like body carrying a second hollow deformable gasket arranged in said depression adjacent to the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed in said depression and in surrounding relation with said front access opening formed therein, said second gasket being compressed between the portion of said cabinet front wall disposed in said depression and said inner wall and sealing the space therebetween when said front door occupies its closed position.

2. The clothes drying machine combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like body and said first and second hollow gaskets are of one-piece construction formed of flexible and deformable material.

3. The clothes drying machine combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said one-piece construction is continuous about said front openings.

CLIFFORD E. ERICKSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,883,609 Dennis Oct. 18, 1932 2,352,363 Bassett, Jr June 27, 1944 2,376,449 Oliver May 22, 1945 2,434,476 Wales Jan. 13, 1948 2,451,692 Pugh Oct. 19, 1948 2,547,238 Tremblay Apr. 3, 1951 2,613,837 Morton Oct. 14, 1952 

